But be doers of the word, and not hearers only…  (James 1:22)

          Some years ago at a meeting at Keswick, I heard a message on Romans 12:1 (ESV), I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Developing that verse, the speaker went on to say, “The problem with a living sacrifice is that it can crawl off the altar.”
          “How clever!” I said to myself.  And then the embarrassing truth of that statement hit me!  Years before, I had embraced the challenge of offering myself as a living sacrifice to God, and I was quite comfortable with my good Christian intention.  Now, however, I had to do some serious rethinking.  Had I crawled off the altar?
          I realized I frequently lived in “the land of good intentions.”  Sometimes that is my comfort zone.  I satisfy my pricking conscience by saying, “Yes, I must do so and so, but not just now!”  So there I go again, crawling in the wrong direction!  What does that cavalier attitude do to my relationship with the Lord?
           It does not please Him, I’m sure.  Will I go too far someday?  Will I crawl off the altar one time too many?  Will my propensity to intend to do something good, and then not do it, cause me to experience no longer His continued lovingkindness and blessings?
         As I pondered those questions that pertain to my well-being as a Christian, to my dedication to keep my promise to give my life as a sacrifice to Him, I suddenly remembered reading “My Spirit will not always strive with man.”  That’s the Truth!  Therefore, I need to forsake “the land of good intentions.” I need to get back on the altar, and I need to be careful to give the Lord preeminence in my life so once again I can bring Him pleasure and joy.  And once again, I can receive the benefits of His lovingkindness, His grace, and His amazing love!

Dear Father God, accept me back on your altar. 
And farewell to the land of good intentions.

Midge Ruth

Writer for “Real Victory for Real Life” 
365 Devotional Thoughts in the Spirit of America’s Keswick
VOLUME 2
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